Camera control system

ABSTRACT

A camera control system for time lapse photography includes an adjustable frequency timing oscillator coupled through a steering circuit to a shift register. The shift register has a pluarity of output terminals which are sequentially energized in response to input signals from the steering circuit. A control circuit is connected to a selected register output terminal and controls the operation of a camera function, in addition to the ambient lighting and camera lighting when the selected terminal is energized. The steering circuit and an associated pulse actuation circuit are adjustable for two modes of operation. In the first mode of operation, an input signal is applied to the shift register for every cycle of the oscillator output signal, and in the second mode of operation, an input signal is applied to the shift register for every sixty cycles of the oscillator output signal.

United States Patent [191 Van Derwater, Jr.

Feb. 5, 1974 CAMERA CONTROL SYSTEM Primary ExaminerRichard L. Moses [75]Inventor: Glen A. Van Derwater, Jr., Penfield, Attorney Agent orfirm-Barry Jay Kesselman NY. [73] Assignee: Photographic SciencesCorporation, [57] ABSTRACT Rochester, NY. A camera control system fortime lapse photography includes an adjustable frequency timingoscillator cou- [22] Flled' May 1972 pied through a steering circuit toa shift register. The [21] App]. No.: 251,778 shift register has apluarity of output terminals which are sequentially energized inresponse to input signals [52] U S Cl 352/84 95 l 5 from the steeringcircuit. A control circuit is con- 51] s 21/3'2 nected to a selectedregister output terminal and con- "I trols the operation of a camerafunction, in addition to [58] Field of Search 352/84 121, 95/11.5, 12.5,

307/293, 328/129 the ambient lighting and camera lighting when theselected terminal is energized. The steering circuit and an associatedpulse actuation circuit are adjustable for [56] References Clted twomodes of operation In the first mode of opera UNITED STATES PATENTS Ition, an input signal is applied to the shift register for Skelton et a]every cycle of the oscillator output ignal and in the 3,660,692 5/1972Bartlett 307/293 Second mode f operation, an input signal is applied to2,l56,440 5/1939 Veber the register f every i y cycles f the oscillatoroutput signal.

13 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures rmmc T E N c la gaglLLAron STEERING amPOSITION F RESETTABLE TPULSE CIRCUIT SHIFT :GI 23 BISTABLE SHAPER HMULTIVIBRTOR CIRCUIT 25F REG'STER 'l 12 24 i SIX PULSE SHORT CAMERA IACTUATION 52:11 CONTROL CAMERA CIRCUIT CIRCUIT CIRCUIT I so 3 5 I 48 5442 I r q 58 I TEN PULSE l LONG TIME ACTUATION CONSTANT CIRCUIT DELAY Icmcun- I 5 32 I L l l F' ""t l LIGHT AMBIENT CAMERA CONTROL LIGHTINGLIGHTING 5s-cmcu1r ss-cmculr 40"-CIRCUIT CAMERA CONTROL SYSTEM Thepresent invention relates to a camera control system and moreparticularly to a camera control system for time lapse photography.

In time lapse photography, a camera is periodically operated tophotograph a subject. The period or time between successive cameraoperations may vary greatly from one application to another. Moreover,for many applications, the period between successive camera operationsmust remain constant regardless of the selected period betweenoperations, be it very long or very short.

Camera lights for illumination are necessary in many instances toproperly photography certain subjects. In time lapse photography, whenthe period or time between successive camera operations is long, it isdesirable that the camera lights used to illuminate a subject be turnedon immediately prior to a camera operation and be turned off immediatelyafter a camera operation. It is also desirable that the ambient or housebe simultaneously controlled to turn off when the camera lights areturned on and to turn on when the camera lights are turned off.

Prior art camera control systems for time lapse photography haveprovided some of the functions described above (See US. Pat. Nos.1,759,630; 2,156,440; and 2,970,226). Nevertheless, these prior artcamera control systems are either mechanical and complex or do notprovide any functions desirable in time lapse photography.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a camera controlsystem for time lapse photography where the period between successivecamera operations can be adjusted over a wide time range.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a cameracontrol system for time lapse photography having control over the cameraand ambient lighting. I

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a simpleand reliable electronic camera control system which has greatflexibility in its modes of operation. 7

With these and other objects in view, a camera control system embodyingthe present invention includes a timing oscillator providing a train ofoutput clock pulses for the control system. First means are provided foradjustment of the oscillator pulses over a range of frequencies. A thirdmeans is coupled between the timing oscillator and a second means. Thesecond means has a pluraity of output terminals which are sequentiallyenergized in response to input pulses. The third means has two modes ofoperation. In the first mode of operation, a pulse signal is applied tothe second means for every clock pulse. In the second mode of operation,a pulse signal is applied to the second means after a predeterminednumber of clock pulses. A fourth means is connected to a selected one ofthe second means output terminals for controlling the operation of acamera when the selected terminal is energized.

The novel features of the present invention are set forth withparticularity in the appended claims. The in-.

vention, both as to its organization and manner of open ation, may bestbe understood by reference to the following description, when takeninconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

, able potentiometer 18. The frequency of the pulses can be variedbetween approximately 0.20 hertz to 2.0 hertz depending upon theposition of tap 16. Thus, by adjusting the setting of tap 16 theoccurence of output pulses from the timing oscillator and pulse shapercircuit 12 can be made to vary between approximately 0.50 seconds to 5.0seconds.

The operation of steering circuit 14 is controlled by a switch 20. Thesteering circuit 14 functions to apply pulses to a 10 position shiftregister 22. In a first mode of operation, when the switch contact 24engages terminal 26, the steering circuit 14 applies a pulse to the tenposition shift register 22 for each output pulse from the timingoscillator and pulse shaper circuit 12. In a second mode of operation,when the switch contact 24 engages terminal 28, the steering circuit 14applies a pulse to the 10 position shift register 22 after apredetermined number of output pulses occur from the timing oscillatorand pulse shaper circuit.

In the second mode of operation, the steering circuit 14 applies a pulseto a six pulse activation circuit 30 for each output pulse from thetiming oscillator and pulse shaper circuit 12. After six pulses areapplied to the six pulse actuation circuit 30, the pulse actuationcircuit 30 applies a pulse to a 10 pulse actuation circuit 32. In amanner similar to the operation of the pulse actuation circuit 30, after10 pulses have been applied to the 10 pulse actuation circuit 32,circuit 32 applies a pulse to the steering circuit 14 which in turnapplies a pulse to the 10 position shift register 22. The second mode ofoperation of the steering circuit l4, enables pulses to be applied tothe 10 position shift register 22 with an occurence which can be varied(by adjusting the setting of tap 16 on potentiometer 18) betweenapproximately 0.50 to 5.0 minutes.

In either the first or the second mode of operation of the steeringcircuit 14, pulses are applied to the 10 position shift register 22.Every'time a pulse is applied to the 10 position shift register 22 adifferent one of the 10 register output terminals A-J is energized. Theterminals are energized sequentially beginning with the terminal A andending with the terminal J.

A selected one of the 10 output terminals A-J of the ten position shiftregister 22 is connected through tap 23 to a resettable bistablemultivibrator 34. When the selected terminal is energized themultivibrator changes states from its initial condition and applies areset pulse via lead 36 to the 10 position shift register 22. The resetpulse resets the register to a zero count such that the first pulseapplied to the register from the steering circuit 14 will cause registerterminal A to be energized. Subsequent pulses applied to the shiftregister 22 cause the output terminal B-.] to be sequentially energizeduntil a reset pulse is applied via lead 36 to the 10 position shiftregister.

By selecting the output terminal of the register 22 connected to thebistable multivibrator 34, the occurence of the change in state of themultivibrator can be made to vary by a factor of ten from the occurenceof output pulses from the steering circuit 14. Thus, where the steeringcircuit 14 is in the first mode of operation, pulses are applied to theregister 22 with an occurence of between approximately 0.5 to 5.0seconds. By also selecting the output terminal of the register 22, thebistable multivibrator changes state at any time between 0.50 and 50seconds. Where the steering circuit 14 is in the second mode ofoperation, pulses are applied to the ten position shift register 22 withan occurence of between approximately 0.50 and 5 .0 minutes. Theselection of the output terminal A-J of the shift register 22 enablesthe multivibrator to change states anywhere between 0.50 and 50 minutes.Consequently, by selection of the mode operation of the steering circuit14, the frequency of operation of the timing oscillator and pulse shapecircuit 12, and the output terminal A-J of the position shift register22, the resettable bistable multivibrator 34 can be made to changestates, with any of an infinite number of adjustments for time intervalsbetween occurences from a minimum of approximately 0.50 seconds to amaximum of 50 minutes. For any given adjustment, the time intervalsbetween successive occurences are equal. The change in state of theresettable bistable multivibrator 34 functions to control ambientlighting circuits 38, camera lighting circuits 40, and camera 42, aswill be more fully explained hereinafter.

When the bistable multivibrator changes states, a voltage is applied vialead 44 to a switch 46. The switch 46 is ganged to the switch forunicontrol. When the switch 20 has its contact 24 engaging terminal 26(steering circuit conditioned for first mode of operation). contact 48of switch 46 engages terminal 50. When a voltage develops on lead 44, itis applied through switch 46 to a short time constant delay circuit 52.After a short time delay, for example, 0.1 second, a signal is appliedto a camera control circuit 54. The camera control circuit functions tocontrol one or more operations in the camera 42. Application of thesignal to the camera control circuit may energize a solenoid which isconnected to trip the camera shutter. Additional operations such asdistance settings for the camera lenses, and diameter settings of thelens aperture may also be controlled. A reset signal is coupled via lead55 from the camera control circuit to the resettable multivibrator 34.The reset signal is generated every time a signal is applied to thecamera control circuit 54 and resets the bistable multivibrator to itsinitial condition.

A light control circuit 56 operates to control ambient lighting circuits38 and camera light circuits 40. The ambient lighting circuits 38control the ambient lighting in the vicinity of subject to bephotographed by camera 42. The camera lighting circuits 40 control theillumination of the subject to be photographed when the camera shutteris tripped. The light control circuit 56 controls the circuits 38 and 40such that either the ambient lighting circuits 38 are energized or thecamera lighting circuits 40 are energized. With switch contact 48engaging terminal 50 and the camera 42 operated with an occurence ofbetween approximately 0.50 to 50 seconds, the camera lighting circuits40 are continuously energized and the ambient lighting circuits 38 aredeenergized.

Switch contact 48 engages switch terminal 58 when the switch contact 24of ganged switch 20 engages switch terminal 28 (steering circuitconditioned for the second mode of operation). A change in state in thebistable multivibrator from its initial condition causes a voltage to beapplied to a long time constant delay circuit 60 through lead 44 andswitch 46. After a time delay, for example 1.0 second, a signal isapplied to the camera control circuit 54 which functions in the mannerdescribed above.

With switch contact 48 engaging terminal 58, the voltage which developson lead 44 is also applied through switch 46 and lead 53 to lightcontrol circuit 56. In this mode, the camera is operated with anoccurrence of between approximately 0.50 to 50 minutes. The cameralighting circuits 40 are energized and ambient lighting circuits 38 aredeenergized shortly before the camera is operated. It should be noted,however, that with switch contact 48 engaging switch terminal 58 and theresettable bistable multivibrator 34 in its initial condition, the lightcontrol circuit 56 is conditioned to cause the ambient lighting circuits38 to be continuously energized and the camera lighting circuits to bedeenergized.

Once the reset signal is applied to the bistable multivibrator 34, themultivibrator is reset to its initial condition. The resetting of themultivibrator to its initial condition causes the light control circuit56 to be conditioned to cause the ambient lighting circuit 38 to againbe energized and the camera lighting circuits 40 to be deenergized.

Reference is now'made to F IG. 2. A timing oscillator 64 includes aunijunction device 66 (such as Unitrode Corporation unijunctiontransistor type U13T3). The anode of the device 66 is coupled through aresistor 68 and a resistor 70 to a terminal 72. Terminal 72 is conectedto a +12 volt DC power supply 73. A series connected variable resistor74 and capacitor 76 are coupled between the junction of resistors 68 and70 and a point of fixed reference potential, shown as ground. The anodeof the device 66 is also coupled to the junction of resistor 74 andcapacitor 76. A resistor 78 couples the cathode of device 66 to ground.The junction of a variable resistor 80 and resistor 82 is connected tothe gate electrode of the device 66. The variable resistor 80 andresistor 82 are coupled between the +12 volt DC power supply 73 andground and establish the voltage level at the gate electrode of device66.

The voltage at the gate electrode of device 66 determines the voltagenecessary at the anode to initiate conduction. When capacitor 76 chargesto a sufficient level, device 66 is biased into conduction, and thecapacitor discharges through the anode-cathode electrode current pathand resistor 78. The charge path for capacitor 76 is from the powersupply 73 through resistor 70 and the parallel connected variableresistor 74 and resistor 68. The variable resistor 80 provides a factoryadjustment to calibrate the setting of the variable resistor 74 which isa user control. With the variable resistor 74 set for minimumresistance, variable resistor 80 is adjusted so that device 66 is biasedinto conduction every 0.5 second. With variable resistor 80 set asdescribed above, adjustment of variable resistor 74 for maximumresistance will cause device 66 to be biased into conductionapproximately every 5.0 seconds.

After device 66 is biased into conduction, as capacitor 76 discharges, avoltage develops across resistor 78. The voltage across resistor 78 isapplied to the differentiating circuit including the resistor 84 andcapacitor 86. Spike voltages which develop at junction 88 are coupled byresistor 90 to the base electrode of transistor 92. The emitterelectrode of transistor 92 is directly connected to ground, and thecollector electrode is connected through resistor 94 to a regulated +5volt DC power supply 96 which operates off the +12 volt DC power supply73.

The +5 volt DC power supply 96 includes a resistor 98 and zener diode100 connected in series between terminal 72 and ground. Voltagevariations occurring at the junction of resistor 98 and zener diode 100are filtered out by capacitor 102.

Transistor 92 and its associated circuitry form a pulse shaping circuitwhich converts the positive spike voltage at junction 88 to negativegoing pulses which are coupled to a steering circuit 104. Steeringcircuit 104 is composed of four NAND gates. One suitable integratedcircuit having four NAND gates is a Signetic Corporation integratedcircuit type N7400A. Integrated circuits of this type are described in aSignetic publication entitled, DIGITAL 54/7400 'ITL, Copyright 1971.

The steering circuit 104 functions to achieve the same operation asdescribed above in connection with FIG. 1. Briefly, steering circuit 104applies pulses via lead 106 to a position shift register 108. Onesuitable integrated circuit for the 10 position shift register 108 is aSignetic Corporation integrated circuit type N8202. Integrated circuitsof this type are described in a Signetics publication entitled, DIGITAL8000 Series TTL/MSI, Copyright 1971. Pulses are applied to 6 voltage.Consequently, for each positive going pulse occurring at the output ofNAND gate 124, NAND gate 130 provides a negative going pulse outputsignal which is coupled via lead 138 to NAND gate 140. A positivevoltage is applied to the other input to NAND gate 140 from the outputof NAND gate 144. The output voltage of NAND gate 144 is held positiveby grounding one of the inputs to the gate through lead 146, switchterminal 112 and switch contact 111. Thus, every time a negative goingpulse occurs on lead 138, a positive pulse is applied from outputterminal of NAND gate 140 over lead 106 to the ten position shiftregister 107.

With switch contact 111 engaging switch terminal 150, the pulseactuation circuits are no longer inhibited and for every sixty pulsesapplied to circuit 1 14 via lead 128 a positive voltage is generated inthe 10 pulse actuation circuit and applied over lead 152 to NAND gate144. The other input to NAND gate 144 is maintainted at a positivevoltage from circuits 114 and 120 via lead 154. Therefore, a positivepulse applied to NAND gate 144 over lead 152 causes a negative goingpulse to de velop at the output terminal of the gate.

The negative going pulse at the output terminal of NAND gate 144 isapplied to NAND gate 140. The

, other input to NAND gate 140 is maintained positive lead 106 everytime device 66 is biased into conduction or once every 60 times device66 is biased into conduction, depending on the position of a switch 109.

With the contact 111 of switch 109 engaging switch terminal 112, sixpulse actuation circuit 114 and 10 pulse actuation circuit 120 areinhibited from operating. The six pulse actuation circuit 114 may be aSignetic Corporation integrated circuit type N8288A, and the ten pulseactuation circuit 120 may be a Signetic Corporation integrated circuittype N828OA. Both the .N8288A and the N8280A integrated circuits aredescribed in the Signetics publication, DIGITAL 8000 Series TTL/MSI,"supra. The circuit 114 functions as a divide by six circuit and thecircuit 120 functions as a divide by 10 circuit. The six pulse and 10pulse actuation circuits 114 and 120 combine, when not inhibited, toform a divide by 60 circuit, providing one output pulse for every 60input pulses.

With both pulse actuation circuits 114 and 120 inhibited, negativepulses are applied from the collector electrode of transistor 92 vialead 122 to NAND gate 124. A positive voltage is also applied to NANDgate 124 via lead 126. NAND gate 126 provides a positive output pulseevery time a negative input pulse is applied via lead 122. The NAND gate124 functions as an inverter for the negative going pulses at thecollector electrode of transistor 92. The positive pulses at the outputof NAND gate 124 are applied both to six pulse actuation circuit 114over lead 128 and to NAND gate 130 via lead 132. Since the operation ofcircuits 114 and 120 are inhibited, the pulse applied via lead 128actuation circuit 114 has no effect on the operation of the cameracontrol system.

One input to NAND gate 130 is by means of lead 134 which is opencircuited when the switch contact 111 engages switch terminal 112. Anopen circuit for NAND gates of this type is the equivalent of a positiveby the output of NAND gate 130. With switch contact 108 engaging switchterminal 150, one input to NAND gate is grounded. Consequently, theoutput voltage from NAND gate 130 is maintained'positive.

The 10 position shift register 108 is coupled to the +5 volt powersupply 96 by lead 97. The register has 10 output terminals A-J which aresequentially energized. Starting with a zero count, the trailing edge ornegative going portion of a positive voltage pulse occurring on lead 106causes register output terminal A to be energized. A second pulse onlead 106 causes register output terminal B to be energized. Theenergization of the register output terminals continue sequentiallyuntil a reset voltage is applied to the ten position shift registerreset terminal 158.

A tap is adjustable between the register output terminals A-J. When theselected terminal to which tap 160 is connected becomes energized, apositive voltage develops at the junction of resistors 162 and 164 andis applied to the gate electrode of normally nonconducting siliconcontrolled rectifier (SCR) 166. The positive voltage at the gateelectrode of SCR 166 biases the device into conduction and current flowsthrough resistor 168 and the anode-cathode electrode current path. Asthe anode electrode of SCR 166 drops toward ground potential, a spikevoltage develops at the junction of capacitor 169 and resistor 171. Thespike voltage is applied to reset terminal 158 and causes the 10position shift register 108 to be reset to the zero count.Simultaneously, as the anode of SCR 166 drops toward ground potential,one side of capacitor 170 is connected to ground and a negative voltagepulse develops at the anode of SCR 172, biasing the device out ofconduction.

When SCR 172 becomes nonconducting, current ceases to flow from the +12volt power supply 73 to ground through resistor 174 and theanode-cathode electrode current path of SCR 172, and a positive voltagedevelops at the anode of the device. The positive voltage at the anodeof SCR 172 is coupled to a capacitor 176 via lead 178, diode 180 andresistor 182. The

anode electrode of SCR 172 is also coupled to capacitor 176 throughswitch 183 (when switch contact 184 engages switch terminal 188). diode190 and resistor 192.

Switch 183 is ganged to switch 109 for unicontrol. When switch 183 isconditioned with switch contact 183 engaging switch terminal 188, switch109 is conditioned to inhibit operation of the six pulse actuationcircuit 114 and the 10 pulse actuation circuit 120.

With switch contact 184 engaging switch terminal 188, a short timeconstant is provided in charging capacitor 176. The time constant isapproximately 0.1 second. When capacitor 176 charges to a predeterminedvoltage level, a unijunction device such as a unitrode Corporation typeU13T2 is biased into conduction. The predetermined voltage level isdetermined by the voltage applied to the gate electrode of device 194 bythe voltage divider resistors 196 and 198.

When device 194 becomes biased for conduction, capacitor 176 dischargestoward ground potential through the anode-cathode electrode current pathof device 194, resistor 200, and resistor 202. As capacitor 176discharges, transistor 204 is biased into conduction, and the voltage atthe junction of resistors 206 and 208 drops to a level such thattransistor 210 is biased into conduction.

A current flows through conducting transistor 210 and the seriesconnected resistors 212 and 214. The voltage developed at the junctionof resistors 212 and 214 is applied to the base electrode of atransistor 216, biasing the transistor for conduction. Thecollectoremitter electrode current path of transistor 216, diode 218andsolenoid winding 220 are connected in series between the +12 volt powersupply 73 and ground. A diode 222 is connected in parallel with thesolenoid winding to prevent possible damage to the winding fromtransient voltages generated during operation of the solenoid. Whentransistor 216 is biased for conduction, current flows through thesolenoid winding 220, and the solenoid, not shown, operates the desiredcamera function as described above in connection with FIG. 1.

Conduction of transistor 210 also causes a current to flow throughseries connected resistors 224 and 226. The voltage developed at thejunction of the resistors is applied to the gate electrode of SCR 172.SCR 172 becomes biased into conduction, and one side of capacitor 170 isconnected to ground through the conducting device 172. This causes anegative pulse to develop at the anode of SCR 166 biasing the device outof conduction. It should be recognized that SCR 166 and SCR 172 withtheir associated circuitry form a resettable bistable miltivibrator.When the bistable miltivibrator is reset to its initial condition, theconduction condition of SCR 166 and 172 before energization of theselected register output terminal is reestablished; SCR 166 is biasedout of conduction and SCR 172 is biased for conduction.

The ambient lighting circuits and the camera lighting circuits arecontrolled by a relay. When current flows through the relay winding 228the relay contacts, not shown, are operated to deenergize the ambientlighting circuits and energize the camera lighting circuits. Currentflow through the relay winding is controlled by a transistor 230. Adiode 232, the collector-emitter electrode current path and relaywinding 228 are connected in series between the +12 volt DC power supply73 and ground. Wijh switch contact 184 engaging switch terminal 188,transistor 230 is biased for conduction by the voltage applied to itsbase electrode through resistor 234. A diode 236 is connected inparallel with relay winding 228 to prevent damage from transientvoltages generated during operation of the relay.

Switch contact 184 engages switch terminal 236, when switch 109 isconditioned such that the six pulse actuation circuit 114 and ten pulseactuation circuit are operating. With switch contact 184 engaging switchterminal 236, the base electrode of transistor 230 is connected toground through the anode-cathode electrode current path of conductingSCR 172. Thus, transistor 230 is biased out of conduction.

When the selected register output terminal is energized, SCR 172 isbiased out of conduction. The positive voltage at the anode of the SCRbiases transistor 230 into conduction and the ambient lighting circuitsbecome deenergized and the camera lighting circuits are energized. Atthis time capacitor 176 begins to charge. However, the charge path fromthe anode of SCR 172 for the capacitor includes diode 180 and resistor182. Resistor 192 is not connected in the charging circuit.Consequently, capacitor 176 is charged with a long time constantcircuit. Approximately 1 second is required before capacitor 176 chargesto a level sufficient to bias unijunction device 194 into conduction andcause the solenoid winding 220 to be energized (in the manner previouslydescribed), thus, operating the camera function being controlled. Oncethe solenoid winding 220 has been energized, SCR 172 is again biasedinto conduction and transistor 230 is biased out of conduction. Whentransistor 230 becomes nonconducting the ambient lighting circuits areenergized and the camera lighting circuits are deenergized.

What is claimed is:

1. In a time lapse photography system of the type providing control of acamera function, a camera control system, comprising:

a timing oscillator providing a train of output clock pulses for saidcontrol system;

first means for adjusting the frequency of said clock pulses over arange of frequencies; second means having a plurality of outputterminals sequentially energized in response to input pulses;

third means coupled between said timing oscillator and-said secondmeans, said third means having a first mode of operation where a pulsesignal is applied to said second means for every generated clock pulse,and a second mode of operation where a pulse signal is applied to saidsecond means after a predetermined number of generated clock controlpulses; and

fourth means coupled to a selected one of said second means outputterminals for controlling said camera operation.

2. A camera control system as defined in claim 1 where saidpredetermined number of generated clock pulses is 60.

3. A camera control system as defined in claim 2 said range offrequencies over which said clock pulses are adjustable is such that insaid first mode of operation, said camera operation can be caused tooccur over a first time range of approximately 0.5 seconds to 50seconds, and in said second mode of operation,.said camera operation canbe caused to occur over a second time range of approximately 0.5 to 50minutes.

4. A camera control system as defined in claim 1 wherein said fourthmeans controls camera lighting and energizes said camera lightingimmediately prior to operation of said camera function and deenergizessaid camera lighting immediately after operation of said camera functionwhen said third means is in said second mode of operation.

5. A camera control system as defined in claim 4 wherein said fourthmeans controls ambient lighting and deenergizes said ambient lightingimmediately prior to operation of said camera function and energizessaid ambient lighting immediately after operation of said camerafunction when said third means is in said second mode of operation.

6. A camera control system as defined in claim 5 wherein said fourthmeans continuously energizes said camera lighting and continuouslydeeenergizes said ambient lighting when said third means is in saidfirst mode of operation.

7. A camera control system, comprising:

a timing oscillator;

control means for controlling the operating frequency of said timingoscillator;

a shift register having a plurality of output terminal sequentiallyenergized in response to input signals;

a steering circuit coupled between said timing oscillator and said shiftregister;

pulse actuation means for providing an output pulse in response to apredetermined number of input pulses, said pulse actuation means coupledto said steering circuit;

switch means connected to said pulse actuation means and said steeringcircuit for conditioning said system for a first mode of operation suchthat siad steering circuit applied an input signal to said shiftregister for each output pulse from said timing oscillator and a secondmode of operation such that said steering circuit applies an inputsignal to said register after a predetermined number of output pulsesfrom said timing oscillator;

a camera control circuit for controlling the operation of a camerafunction; and

means coupled between said camera control circuit and a selected one ofsaid plurality of register output terminals for causing said cameracontrol circuit to operate said camera function when said selectedterminal is energized.

8. A camera control system as defined in claim 7 including a lightcontrol circuit connected to said coupling means, said light controlcircuit controlling the energization of camera lighting circuits andambient lighting circuits.

9. A camera control system as defined in claim 8 wherein said lightcontrol circuit energizes said camera lighting circuits immediatelyprior to operation of said camera function and deeenergizes said cameralighting circuits immediately after operation of said camera functionwhen said switch means conditions said system for said second mode ofoperation.

10. A camera control system as defined in claim 9 wherein said lightcontrol circuit deenergizes said ambient lighting circuits immediatelyprior to operation of said camera function and energizes said ambientlighting circuits immediately after operation of said camerafunction'when said switch means conditions said system for said secondmode of operation.

11. A camera control system as defined in claim 8 wherein said lightcontrol circuit continuously energizes said camera lighting circuits andcontinuously deenergizes said ambient lighting circuits when said switchmeans conditions said system for said first mode of operation.

12. A camera control system as defined in claim 11 wherein the minimumperiod for successive operations of said camera function when saidswitch means conditions said system for each first mode of operation isless than 1 second.

13. A camera control system as defined in claim 7 wherein saidpredetermined number of output pulses from said timing oscillator is 60.

1. In a time lapse photography system of the type providing control of acamera function, a camera control system, comprising: a timingoscillator providing a train of output clock pulses for said controlsystem; first means for adjusting the frequency of said clock pulsesover a range of frequencies; second means having a plurality of outputterminals sequentially energized in response to input pulses; thirdmeans coupled between said timing oscillator and said second means, saidthird means having a first mode of operation where a pulse signal isapplied to said second means for every generated clock pulse, and asecond mode of operation where a pulse signal is applied to said secondmeans after a predetermined number of generated clock control pulses;and fourth means coupled to a selected one of said second means outputterminals for controlling said camera operation.
 2. A camera controlsystem as defined in claim 1 where said predetermined number ofgenerated clock pulses is
 60. 3. A camera control system as defined inclaim 2 said range of frequencies over which said clock pulses areadjustable is such that in said first mode of operation, said cameraoperation can be caused to occur over a first time range ofapproximately 0.5 seconds to 50 seconds, and in said second mode ofoperation, said camera operation can be caused to occur over a secondtime range of approximately 0.5 to 50 minutes.
 4. A camera controlsystem as defined in claim 1 wherein said fourth means controls cameralighting and energizes said camera lighting immediately prior tooperation of said camera function and deenergizes said camera lightingimmediately after operation of said camera function when said thirdmeans is in said second mode of operation.
 5. A camera control system asdefined in claim 4 wherein said fourth means controls ambient lightingand deenergizes said ambient lighting immediately prior to operation ofsaid camera function and energizes said ambient lighting immediatelyafter operation of said camera function when said third means is in saidsecond mode of operation.
 6. A camera control system as defined in claim5 wherein said fourth means continuously energizes said camera lightingand continuously deeenergizes said ambient lighting when said thirdmeans is in said first mode of operation.
 7. A camera control system,comprising: a timing oscillator; control means for controlling theoperating frequency of said timing oscillator; a shift register having aplurality of output terminal sequentially energized in response to inputsignals; a steering circuit coupled between said timing oscillator andsaid shift register; pulse actuation means for providing an output pulsein response to a predetermined number of input pulses, said pulseactuation means coupled to said steering circuit; switch means connectedto said pulse actuation means and said steering circuit for conditioningsaid system for a first mode of operation such that siad steeringcircuit applied an input signal to said shift register for each outputpulse from said timing oscillator and a second mode of operation suchthat said steering circuit applies an input signal to said registerafter a predetermined number of output pulses from said timingoscillator; a camera control circuit for controlling the operation of acamera function; and means coupled between said camera control circuitand a selected one of said plurality of register output terminals forcausing said camera control circuit to operate said camera function whensaid selected terminal is energized.
 8. A camera control system asdefined in claim 7 including a light control circuit connected to saidcoupling means, said light control circuit controlling the energizationof camera lightIng circuits and ambient lighting circuits.
 9. A cameracontrol system as defined in claim 8 wherein said light control circuitenergizes said camera lighting circuits immediately prior to operationof said camera function and deeenergizes said camera lighting circuitsimmediately after operation of said camera function when said switchmeans conditions said system for said second mode of operation.
 10. Acamera control system as defined in claim 9 wherein said light controlcircuit deenergizes said ambient lighting circuits immediately prior tooperation of said camera function and energizes said ambient lightingcircuits immediately after operation of said camera function when saidswitch means conditions said system for said second mode of operation.11. A camera control system as defined in claim 8 wherein said lightcontrol circuit continuously energizes said camera lighting circuits andcontinuously deenergizes said ambient lighting circuits when said switchmeans conditions said system for said first mode of operation.
 12. Acamera control system as defined in claim 11 wherein the minimum periodfor successive operations of said camera function when said switch meansconditions said system for each first mode of operation is less than 1second.
 13. A camera control system as defined in claim 7 wherein saidpredetermined number of output pulses from said timing oscillator is 60.